quote:
Originally posted by Notaguru:
I had one years ago and was told by more than one of the more knowledgable collectors that it was Naval. One collector told me that this particular style sword was post war. Myself, I don't know.
POST WAR ASSEMBLED PARTS STAINLESS STEEL KAIGUNTO WERE SOLD AS SOUVENIRS BY JAPAN SWORD COMPANY OF TOKYO DURING THE KOREAN WAR ERA. THESE SWORDS ARE EASY TO SPOT AS THE METAL FITTINGS ARE PAINTED, NOT PLATED OR WASHED. THEY HAVE ONE HANGER ONLY AND ALWAYS A BLACK LAQUERED SCABBARD. FINALLY, ALL BUT ONE I HAVE SEEN HAVE THE END OF THE TANG CRUDELY SNAPPED OFF. THE BLADES ARE STAINLESS AND HAVE THE ANCHOR STAMP. THEY ARE ALWAYS FOUND(IF NOT LOST)WITH A VERY CHEAP BROWN SWORD BAGH WITH AN ORANGE TASSLED CORD